After collecting just one hit over four innings, Brazil regrouped during a lengthy rain delay. As the game resumed, the world No. 25 got to South Africa's bullpen and scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to win, 7-6.
South Africa, ranked 26th in the world, built a comfortable lead, thriving on the lack of control of Brazil's starter Joao Marostica and his reliever Pedro Pinto. Moegamat Adams got to second reliever Guilherme Dorta with a blooper to right field and put South Africa ahead. Raymond Hoffman scored the second run. He was originally called out at home, but South Africa won the challenge.
When the rain sent the teams back to the lockers, South Africa was leading 5-0. They extended the lead to 6-0 in the sixth. However, Brazil then got to South Africa's relievers. They cut the lead to 6-3 against Joshua Williams and made it 6-4 against Jamie Brooks. Josh November took the ball with the potential tying runs on base. He walked the bases loaded, then allowed a towering double to catcher Julian Takeda that cleared the bases and gave Brazil the win.
Brazil play world No. 12 Canada in their next game at 11:00 (local time) on Saturday while South Africa take on world No. 8 the Netherlands at 15:00.
